2 posts in this topic

Before I get started -or continue- with the developing tale of Korvettenkapitän Korky, I’ll just point out what I think I already did in the KMM. I hate the nazis.

To keep my person from being confused with a fictional nazi captain by some hasty readers, I decided to make the protagonist a man of his time, but one who has his struggles with that strict nazi ideology. But since the story IS placed in Germany and starts in 1939 I will write "evil nazi things" into the story to confront my captain and crew with it. It would be weird if they would not run into that stuff at least when the scenes take place in Germany. Btw if you need a German political figure to relate him to, try Franz von Papen or Gustav Stresemann.

The story itself will feature characters who are full out nazis. Because not having them would be untruthful to the historical background in my opinion. How I exactly handle it can be observed within the story and if anyone feels uneasy about it, you can contact me, we can discuss this by exchanging views and arguments and I will probably edit it.

One more thing I will put out as well:

Crimes, rudeness and nasty stuff will be written here. So if you don't want to come across this, you better read another fanfic. The WWII years in Germany were no pony ranch.

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As practiced in the KMM my posts will feature at least German text in black and English text in blue. If you see any other colour, I most likely use another language.... probably poorly performed.

Zusammen gingen Sie an Deck, wo die ersten Matrosen schon am Heck angetreten waren. Der kurze Müller wies bereits alle ein und von Bugwärts kam der lange Müller mit zügigen Schritten und mehreren Soldaten seiner Wache. Es gab viele Müller an Bord, aber nur die beiden Decksältesten, der lange Müller und der kurze Müller hatten Spitznamen. Sie waren schon bei Kriegsende in Korkys Mannschaft gelandet. Damals waren sie noch einfache Matrosen gewesen. Mittlerweile waren beide Oberbootsmann und verantwortlich für die unteren Decks. Unterhalb des Turms Erwin stand bereits der Bayer. Der Bayer war II. WO, hieß eigentlich Anton Huber, aber nahm es einem nicht krumm, wenn man ihn einfach „Bayer“ nannte. So lange alles in Ordnung war. War nicht alles in Ordnung hatte er auch schon Decksgäste über Bord geworfen, die ihn in unpassenden Momenten nicht korrekt mit „Herr Oberleutnant“ angesprochen hatten. Aber spätestens wenn man Maat war wusste man um die Feinheiten der Mannschaft. Oder wurde kein Maat. Darum war auch noch kein Maat oder höher in irgendeinem dreckigen Hafenwasser gelandet.Together they went on deck where the first sailors had already started to line up at the stern. The short Müller already instructed everyone and from the bow came the long Müller with speedy steps and several soldiers of his watch. There were several Müller on board, but only the two Deck Elders, the long Müller and the short Müller had nicknames. They became members of Korky's crew at the end of the war. Back then, they were simple sailors. By now both were Oberbootsmann and responsible for the lower decks. Below the gun tower Erwin stood already the Bayer. The Bayer was II. WO, was actually named Anton Huber, but did not take it crooked, if people just called him "Bayer". As long as everything was fine. In cases when everything was not fine, he had thrown deck guests overboard, who had addressed him in inappropriate moments not properly with "Herr Oberleutnant". But at least when you were Maat you knew about the finer points of the team. Or did not become a Maat. So no Maat or more senior crew member ever had to be thrown in dirty harbour waters.

„Drittens! Die Neutralitätsstreifen des Völkerbundes sind dabei gut sichtbar am ersten Schlot anzubringen. Mit Schiffen anderer Nationen, die ebenfalls Neutralitätsstreifen aufgetragen haben, ist grundsätzlich zu kooperieren, unabhängig vom Kriegs- oder Friedenszustand mit deren Heimatnation. Der Angriff auf andere Schiffe ist untersagt. Feuer darf aber im Angriffsfall scharf erwidert werden.“ Korky warf noch einmal einen prüfenden Blick über die Männer."Third! The Neutrality Stripes of the League of Nations are to be attached to the first smokestack in a way they can be easily spotted. In principle with ships of other nations, which have also applied neutrality stripes, cooperation is mandatory, regardless of the state of war or peace with their native nation. Attacking other ships is prohibited. Fire may be returned with accurately placed live bullets in case of being attacked." Korky glanced again at the men.

„Viertens! In Anbetracht der Besonderheiten des Befehls wird es allen Mitgliedern der Mannschaft bis zum Stabsoberbootsmann freigestellt in den nächsten 5 Tagen um Versetzung zu bitten ohne Angabe von Gründen. Offiziere bedürfen der Erlaubnis des Kapitäns. Walküren können nicht versetzt werden.“ Hans Lüdemann schaute irritiert. War dieser Teil des Befehls nicht überflüssig?"Fourth! In view of the special features of the order, all members of the crew up to the Stabsoberbootsmann*5 may apply for a transfer in the next 5 days without any reason. Officers require the permission of the captain. Walküren can not be transfered." Hans Lüdemann looked irritated. Wasn’t that part of the order superfluous?

*“Das Locken“ can be translated both as „the curling“ or „the lure” and really is an awakening whistling 5 minutes before the real awakening.

**The original lower german call “Reise! Reise!” comes from the same root as the english „rise“, so I translated it with the correct meaning and not literally, which would have been “Travel! Travel!”.

***Allgemeine Grundausbildung / basic military training

****”Pollacke” is Ruhr area slang for a polish person. It sounds harsh, but is usually not meant that way. But I admit it’s not very respectful either, but that’s the way people are around here. It has been dropped in recent years to avoid irritation among Poles who came into the region after Poland joined the EU, but was in very wide use here until at least the 1990’s.

*Military pass, can be found on stupid captured german soldiers only. We are all sailors, it's true. No officer among us. Only able seamen. All officers drowned with the ship. - Yes, while moored in harbour.

**The „Reichsbedenkenträger“ is the one in a group who always holds concerns and reservations in every conversation ever held in that group. For some odd reasons to this day I've never heard the term „Bundesbedenkenträger“ (Federalconcernholder), which would be „political correct“ in the FRG. Everyone keeps saying Reichsbedenkenträger.

***Literal translation. Means Lech.

**** „Else“ is a german female name but also slang in the Ruhrarea for a wife. But only if no actual wife is in hearing distance.